Chapter 2

The smell of garlic rice filled my nostrils as I sat down at the long dining table. My mother, Lianne, was already cheerfully chatting away with Kayden’s dad, Mr. Salvador. They looked so happy, as if they were the perfect married couple straight out of a movie.

Too bad their sons were far from it.

I didn’t even glance at the man who took the seat across from me. I didn’t have to look to know who it was. Just his signature perfume was already enough for me to recognize him.

Kayden, my stepbrother.

Yeah, he’s my stepbrother slash fuck buddy. We hate each other—no, we loathe each other. We argue over everything, can’t stand being in the same room, and never have anything nice to say.

But when we’re doing it, none of that matters.

The hate disappears the second our lips are pressed against each other. It’s like our bodies forget what our mouths always argue about.

We go back to hating each other the moment it’s over, but we never stop coming back.

“Good morning, Noah,” Mom greeted.

“Morning, Ma,” I muttered, forcing a smile.

“Kayden, try this tocino,” Mr. Salvador offered, pushing the plate closer to his son. “Your mom cooked that.”

Kayden’s brows furrowed at what he heard. He laughed sarcastically.

“That girl is not my mother.”

“We’re married now, so basically, you should call her your mom or aunt, whatever you prefer.”

“I told you not to marry her, but you didn’t listen. You don’t get to tell me what to do when you couldn’t even take my advice.”

“Watch your words, Kayden! You’re still living under my roof. Show some respect to my wife!” his father’s voice thundered through the entire dining area.

“Hon, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” my mom quickly stepped in, trying to defuse the tension. “Let’s not rush our sons. They’re old enough to make their own decisions. It’s not like we can still control what they want to do or do not.”

This is how breakfast usually went in our house.

I know Kayden dislikes my mom, and to be fair, I feel the same way about his dad. Neither of us accepts our parents’ relationship, and I’m sure they can feel it. However, unlike Kayden, who seems to be more vocal about everything, I stay quiet. He tends to openly disrespect anything and anyone he hates, including my mother. And that’s exactly where he crosses the line.

Our parents started talking casually about their plans to migrate to America for good. I barely heard a word until the same foot that kicked my ankle under the table now slowly moved higher along my shin.

My fork paused mid-air. I glared up. He wasn’t even looking at me and was just busy eating scrambled eggs like he wasn’t being a fucking menace.

I kicked him back hard. His lips twitched. Still, his eyes didn’t leave his plate.

“Noah, are you okay?” Mom asked, noticing my silence.

I blinked and nodded. “Yeah, Ma. Just… didn’t sleep much.”

I didn’t miss how his hand suddenly paused, his grip on the mug tightening.

“Actually,” Mom began, placing her spoon down gently, “Clyden and I want to ask the two of you for a favor.”

Kayden didn’t even bother acknowledging what she said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“We’re planning a family trip to Tagaytay. It’s just for five days. Sounds like a good idea, right? A chance for the four of us to bond?”

“A trip?”

My mom and Mr. Salvador have been married for three months already, but even until today, it’s rare for us to be together peacefully, especially when Kayden and I are in the same room. It always ends in arguments and sometimes even in physical fights.

“Yes. It’ll be next week. Kayden will be free, and I already talked to your manager, Noah. He said you don’t have any shoots scheduled,” Mr. Salvador answered. 

I glanced at Kayden. He hadn’t said a word, but his jaw was already clenched.

Mom noticed the silence. “You boys barely spend time together. This would be good for us.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Kayden finally spoke.

Mom blinked. “Why not?”

“I have somewhere else to go.”

“You said you’d be free,” Mr. Salvador cut in.

“I said I might be free,” Kayden corrected. “And even if I am, I don’t think going on a trip together will magically turn us into a happy family. I never even approved of your relationship with that bitch.”

My jaw tightened with anger. This disrespectful bastard.

“Shut your fucking mouth, you moron. Stop disrespecting my mother. She has a name.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I said what I said.”

“Fuck you. Then don’t come if you don’t want to. It’s not like anyone’s forcing you.”

If only my mom weren’t here, I would’ve punched him already. I loosened my shoulders to calm myself down.

“Noah, that’s enough…” my mom said softly.

“Kayden, apologize to Lianne. I didn’t raise you to treat people like that,” Mr. Salvador said in a calm but firm tone.

Kayden scoffed at his father’s words. “How would you know how to raise someone? You didn’t even act like a father to me.” Kayden stood up and adjusted his necktie. “I’m done eating. My decision is final. I’m not going.”

He didn’t wait for any of us to respond and stormed out of the dining area.

“I’m sorry for my son’s behavior, Lianne. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him,” Mr. Salvador said apologetically.

“It’s fine. I understand,” my mom replied.

I cleared my throat and stood up. “I’m full too. I’ll go ahead,” I said, excusing myself before walking away and leaving them behind.

God, what did I do to deserve a family this messy?